Our second, much smaller work project went so well. We had about 7 or 8 guys show up and they had the shingles on and everything cleaned up by early afternoon. Eli and I went and visited with Alice for a few hours, taking pictures and getting lunch ready.
Tim and Paul worked a little more on the shower, finishing up the drywall. Only a coat of paint and trim left for around the shower and Alice's house will be complete. We have been enjoying spending time with her, and I think she has been enjoying the company as the final touches are being added. They were able to remove the remaining tools from her garage:)
We finished our followup letter this morning, adding the link to our video. Check it out:
Youtube video
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Monday, November 21, 2011
I'll try to recall some of the funny stories so far... I wish I had written more down, I'm sure many have been forgotten....
While riding tubes with Tim at Massanuten on vacation this summer, the boys went down the dark tube- pitch black. Eli was looking nervous, so Tim told him they needed to scream really loud to have lots of fun. Eli told Tim at the end of the ride that he just remembered that God was a light to his path!
When driving home from town a few weeks ago, he asks, out of the blue as we are driving past Walmart and Bob Evans, "Mommy, does Santa live in China?"
"No," I replied. "Last I heard, Santa lives at the North Pole, and that is much further north."
"OK...then Mommy, do the elves live in China????" he asked after a short pause.
"No," I replied. "As far as I know they live at the North Pole with Santa and work in the workshop with him."
After a brief pause, as I am beginning to see where this is going, I asked, "Why do you ask?"
"WELL, Mommy, the other day I was looking at my toy I got for my birthday and my toy that Santa gave me last year for Christmas, and on the back it says, 'MADE IN CHINA."
While riding tubes with Tim at Massanuten on vacation this summer, the boys went down the dark tube- pitch black. Eli was looking nervous, so Tim told him they needed to scream really loud to have lots of fun. Eli told Tim at the end of the ride that he just remembered that God was a light to his path!
When talking of his brother and sister he has been praying for over the last 2 years or more, "Mommy and Daddy, would you please say it right??? It is "a...n...d" not "o...r" You keep saying it wrong!!"
When driving home from town a few weeks ago, he asks, out of the blue as we are driving past Walmart and Bob Evans, "Mommy, does Santa live in China?"
"No," I replied. "Last I heard, Santa lives at the North Pole, and that is much further north."
"OK...then Mommy, do the elves live in China????" he asked after a short pause.
"No," I replied. "As far as I know they live at the North Pole with Santa and work in the workshop with him."
After a brief pause, as I am beginning to see where this is going, I asked, "Why do you ask?"
"WELL, Mommy, the other day I was looking at my toy I got for my birthday and my toy that Santa gave me last year for Christmas, and on the back it says, 'MADE IN CHINA."
We live too far out in the country to go trick or treating, even if we wanted to. But Eli was learning all about Halloween at school and all the kids were talking about trick or treating. So we came up with our own version. We took turns singing in the bathroom to let the other know when we were ready. Then the other person would come over and knock on the door. After several sessions of this game, each of us trading places, we began improvising costumes. I grabbed my blue snuggie and wrapped it around me and called myself a blueberry! He thought that was hysterical!! Then he disappeared. For a while. I was getting rather bored when suddenly I hear him say, "Start singing!"
Then a little voice saying, "Trick or treat, Mommy!!"
I opened the door and there he stood, decked out in full cowboy gear, including hat and rope. I offer him a toy or candy and he looks at me funny, bends one knee to rest leg on toe instead of foot. And then... he begins to pump that leg up and down in time with his little song, "If you're ever down in Texas, if you're ever down in Texas, if you're ever down in Texas, Give a yell, YEHAW!!!!" And tipped his hat after lifting off his head and giving a bow.
I laughed so hard:) What a wonderful funny little boy!! I love him soo much!
Both Hands project
Saturday, 11.19.2011
1119 Moxahala Ave (How cool- the address was the same as the date and fell on National Adoption Day)
The day dawned overcast and chilly. We were up and about early, getting breakfast, packing up last minute items. Mom and Dad had arrived earlier the last evening. As I was preparing breakfast for Eli, Tim came somewhat somberly up the stairs. A coworker had called off, causing one of our volunteers and his son and brother (our plumber and floor/tile expert) to be derailed from our project. At first it seemed a staggering blow, but then I realized that God knows what is going on. This is being done for His glory. I knew he would see it through.
I got in the car a little later than I wanted to and took off. Just before I hit the drive I received a text that one of our friends from church had a sick child and was not going to be able to make it. Again, I repeated to myself, God is in control and He is the one guiding and directing this. Though, to be quite honest, I was beginning to get a feeling for how Gideon felt as he watched so many soldiers place their faces in the water to drink. "So many, Lord? May we glorify you all the same!!"
Then a song came on the radio. In the lyrics God is talking to you saying don't be afraid of what you see, He is in control. He will do what He promised and He will receive the Glory!! Soon after that, just before I turned onto Alice's road, I looked up and saw a rainbow in the sky. Not a full blown across, but a hint of one without the darker colors. Amazing since it was below freezing!! God's "little" promise warmed my heart and energized me for the rest of the day.
Our project was amazing!! We ended up having over 50 people at the site!! Some came by to watch and ask questions, while an absolutely amazing group of people took over the yard and house. WOW!!
This is a description of what went on that I sent earlier in an email:
Over all amazing day... Still some work to be done... But so much accomplished!
It was so incredible to watch God at work. I was the procurement person at the site. I went from project to project seeing what was needed and trying to find it. Almost every time we needed something, it was right there. "Is there a shop vac?" I looked down and there was one sitting behind me. "Is there a dust pan?" I looked up and saw one sitting on top of the papertowels. "Are there wire brushes so we can do the railing as well?" We looked for about 3 minutes in the garage and found 3 and a scraper!! Over and over it went, folks asking for something to complete their jobs, and God providing.
Alice, our widow, summed up our team very well. She said she didn't meet anyone that wasn't super nice... what a great bunch of folks. And, of course, she said she can't wait til we are all in Heaven so she can direct us in the choir:0)
The roofers worked non stop from 8am til 4:30. They didn't even pause for a picture, and some for lunch. They got an amazing amount accomplished during that time! They put on a new roof and had everything finished except the shingles. The tile laying crew stayed at it for 12 hours straight and walked away with all the tile laid. The shower team accomplished much as well, all these teams making it easy for Tim and a friend of ours from church to go back today and grout, finish off shower with caulking and covering 2 sides of roof with shingles by themselves.
Hoping to get back on Sat with a team to do the remaining 2 sides that will require much taller ladders.
How does one even begin to express the emotions inside during a day like this? Thank you is far too paltry a word. Gratitude doesn't even come close. Realizing the sacrifice they've made, giving up a Saturday, asking family and friends to sponsor them as they work, trying to bring our baby home from Russia. When I mentioned that I felt so bad about asking so much for myself (it is very hard to allow others to help, especially when you are a helper yourself!!) I was gently reminded that they aren't really doing this for me. They are doing this to bring a beautiful, sweet child HOME to a LOVING FAMILY that is LONGING with so much PASSION to complete their family through ADOPTION. WOW..
1119 Moxahala Ave (How cool- the address was the same as the date and fell on National Adoption Day)
The day dawned overcast and chilly. We were up and about early, getting breakfast, packing up last minute items. Mom and Dad had arrived earlier the last evening. As I was preparing breakfast for Eli, Tim came somewhat somberly up the stairs. A coworker had called off, causing one of our volunteers and his son and brother (our plumber and floor/tile expert) to be derailed from our project. At first it seemed a staggering blow, but then I realized that God knows what is going on. This is being done for His glory. I knew he would see it through.
I got in the car a little later than I wanted to and took off. Just before I hit the drive I received a text that one of our friends from church had a sick child and was not going to be able to make it. Again, I repeated to myself, God is in control and He is the one guiding and directing this. Though, to be quite honest, I was beginning to get a feeling for how Gideon felt as he watched so many soldiers place their faces in the water to drink. "So many, Lord? May we glorify you all the same!!"
Then a song came on the radio. In the lyrics God is talking to you saying don't be afraid of what you see, He is in control. He will do what He promised and He will receive the Glory!! Soon after that, just before I turned onto Alice's road, I looked up and saw a rainbow in the sky. Not a full blown across, but a hint of one without the darker colors. Amazing since it was below freezing!! God's "little" promise warmed my heart and energized me for the rest of the day.
Our project was amazing!! We ended up having over 50 people at the site!! Some came by to watch and ask questions, while an absolutely amazing group of people took over the yard and house. WOW!!
This is a description of what went on that I sent earlier in an email:
Our project went well;) we ended up with 50 people and 3 children,
and an extension to complete project this next weekend.
We got the old roof off. Tim said it was in terrible shape:(
slate off, boards down, chimney out, new lath board in, chimney covered,
new roof on, tar paper Down;) still need to put shingles on... Trying
to plan for Friday or Sat this week.
They finished laying the ceramic tile in the kitchen, Tim and
another worker went back today and grouted the tile and cleaned it
up.... Looks beautiful!!
Got the tub out,
drywall put in and the handicapped shower put in... Still a little to do
with the plumbing... Missing a part for the shower, and the shower
doors. A plumber that came a little later in the day to hang shower
door said he could get a brand new door for us, he'll come sometime this
week and install it.
Got the basement cleaned, rooms painted, outside railing fixed and
painted out front on porch, upstairs totally cleaned, pulling out beds
and dressers and taking everything off walls to wipe down walls and
Christmas decorations put out. (We had a lot of "unskilled" workers that couldn't
do roofing and there wasn't enough room in bathroom or kitchen, so we
found lots of other stuff to do;) and we moved all the Christmas
decorations twice while cleaning basement;) we had a great day! ) A lot
of work.. But so much fun when we did it all together!
It was overwhelming for me, realizing all these
folks are helping because of us, and to help bring home our baby. They
were so touched by this project! I have a few that have told me they've
asked family members to give to both hands for us as their Christmas
gift!! So touching!! I was in tears several times as I checked in with
each group making sure they all had supplies they needed or more
workforce;)
It was so incredible to watch God at work. I was the procurement person at the site. I went from project to project seeing what was needed and trying to find it. Almost every time we needed something, it was right there. "Is there a shop vac?" I looked down and there was one sitting behind me. "Is there a dust pan?" I looked up and saw one sitting on top of the papertowels. "Are there wire brushes so we can do the railing as well?" We looked for about 3 minutes in the garage and found 3 and a scraper!! Over and over it went, folks asking for something to complete their jobs, and God providing.
Alice, our widow, summed up our team very well. She said she didn't meet anyone that wasn't super nice... what a great bunch of folks. And, of course, she said she can't wait til we are all in Heaven so she can direct us in the choir:0)
The roofers worked non stop from 8am til 4:30. They didn't even pause for a picture, and some for lunch. They got an amazing amount accomplished during that time! They put on a new roof and had everything finished except the shingles. The tile laying crew stayed at it for 12 hours straight and walked away with all the tile laid. The shower team accomplished much as well, all these teams making it easy for Tim and a friend of ours from church to go back today and grout, finish off shower with caulking and covering 2 sides of roof with shingles by themselves.
Hoping to get back on Sat with a team to do the remaining 2 sides that will require much taller ladders.
How does one even begin to express the emotions inside during a day like this? Thank you is far too paltry a word. Gratitude doesn't even come close. Realizing the sacrifice they've made, giving up a Saturday, asking family and friends to sponsor them as they work, trying to bring our baby home from Russia. When I mentioned that I felt so bad about asking so much for myself (it is very hard to allow others to help, especially when you are a helper yourself!!) I was gently reminded that they aren't really doing this for me. They are doing this to bring a beautiful, sweet child HOME to a LOVING FAMILY that is LONGING with so much PASSION to complete their family through ADOPTION. WOW..
Saturday, November 12, 2011
God's Blessings
Oh, it is so exciting!! We can't wait to be able to see your face for the first time!! We are in awe as we watch how God is doing this amazing thing to bring you home!! He promised, and repeated that promise to me, on several occasions- He will provide!!
Tomorrow is our group meeting, and next Saturday is the big day. We are so excited that God provided a way that we could involve so many people, changing lives and improving lives for so many. Hard to tell where the blessings will stop!!
The Union at Daddy's work contributed a rather large amount yesterday. Oh my, it made me cry as I caught just a glimpse of how God might be using us to further His kingdom. It is so hard to ask others to help, but I know that most are delighted to, as would we if someone asked us!!
We so desire to be the people God wants us to be. No inhibitions. No false pride. No fear, only perfect love, knowing that what God called us to, He will complete and accomplish, if only we will step aside and let Him. Oh sweet joy of my heart, we all long for your presence in our home!! You have a whole family looking forward to the first night you lay your head on your very own pillow in your very own room in your new house with your forever family forever. I know that day will come. I pray it will be soon!
Tomorrow is our group meeting, and next Saturday is the big day. We are so excited that God provided a way that we could involve so many people, changing lives and improving lives for so many. Hard to tell where the blessings will stop!!
The Union at Daddy's work contributed a rather large amount yesterday. Oh my, it made me cry as I caught just a glimpse of how God might be using us to further His kingdom. It is so hard to ask others to help, but I know that most are delighted to, as would we if someone asked us!!
We so desire to be the people God wants us to be. No inhibitions. No false pride. No fear, only perfect love, knowing that what God called us to, He will complete and accomplish, if only we will step aside and let Him. Oh sweet joy of my heart, we all long for your presence in our home!! You have a whole family looking forward to the first night you lay your head on your very own pillow in your very own room in your new house with your forever family forever. I know that day will come. I pray it will be soon!
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Family Vacations
We had the grandest time this summer!! Just after mailing out the Both Hands info mentioned in last post, we all traveled to Virginia to relax and spend some time together as a family. It was soo nice to be able to see everyone in my family. It is usually only for a day or 2 around the Christmas/New year and July 4th holidays, so a week together was amazing!!
We were able to do so many things this year that we've never done before!! Usually Tim, Eli and I just do little stuff- playgrounds, maybe the water park... This year we hit all the big stuff!! Luray Caverns was amazing!! We had so much fun seeing the amazing world underground that God created. Eli was having a ball until we mentioned that bears hibernate over winter and he was sure he was going to find a bear!
The Go cart races with the guys, the bungee jumping and ropes course/ zip lines were so incredibly fun! And who could forget going to Monticello with our family. The children's tour was amazing!! The children enjoyed the tour, and so did the adults, learning what it was like to live at Monticello as one of Thomas Jefferson's grandchildren.
I do wish I'd posted much during the last few months... there have been many funny stories.
We were able to do so many things this year that we've never done before!! Usually Tim, Eli and I just do little stuff- playgrounds, maybe the water park... This year we hit all the big stuff!! Luray Caverns was amazing!! We had so much fun seeing the amazing world underground that God created. Eli was having a ball until we mentioned that bears hibernate over winter and he was sure he was going to find a bear!
The Go cart races with the guys, the bungee jumping and ropes course/ zip lines were so incredibly fun! And who could forget going to Monticello with our family. The children's tour was amazing!! The children enjoyed the tour, and so did the adults, learning what it was like to live at Monticello as one of Thomas Jefferson's grandchildren.
I do wish I'd posted much during the last few months... there have been many funny stories.
Both Hands
It has been such a long time since I have blogged. So much has happened!!
Late July we turned in an application for an amazing fund raiser called Both Hands. This is a participant sponsored charity fundraiser. But instead of doing a one day event that is then complete and everyone moves on, like a golf tournament or a 5K, a widow is chosen and her house is renovated. The sponsorship dollars, through Lifesong for Orphans, bring home the orphan. What an amazing idea!!
We found out mid to late September that we were accepted to do this fund raiser, and found our widow in the early weeks of October. Knowing that there were so many people out there that would benefit from a project like this, we prayed and prayed and gladly decided that we would allow a new friend that we'd just met to chose the widow for us.
Rod works at Bethel Mission in the Putnam area of Zanesville. It's his heart's mission and dream to see teams of Christians coming together to be the hands and feet of God in a practical way, helping others both physically (fixing up homes) and spiritually (realizing that God truly does care for them and Christians do exist that are trying to model what Christ showed us).
So, we assembled our team quickly, determining that we needed to have our work project on the 19th of November. Enough time to get our t's crossed and i's dotted and not too late to be in bad weather or into the holidays.
I have to say, the hardest part of this project is very easily the first hand part- The second hand, the hand for the widow? no problem!! We are wired to give. The first hand, though, is an entirely different story. It is such a wonderful cause and is drawing together a very large group of people making them aware of adoption in a new way, allowing them to participate in helping a widow and allowing us to bring home our child through God's provision. So, any of you reading this that got a letter.... we finally determined that whomever we wanted to send out "Gotcha Day" pictures to was going to find out about our incredible journey to bring home our child as well:) For those of you who didn't get a letter- please send us your address- we likely just don't have it:)
Our project is just a little over a week away. It has been amazing to us to see how this is all coming together. There were a few days when we didn't think it would happen. We had a few very close to us that were incredulous we would ask others for money. It so mirrored my prideful stance that says I can do it all by myself that I found my enthusiasm flag and my smile turn upside down as I questioned my own motives. I got so down that I was ready to chuck the whole project for the orphan part, finish the widow project and try to figure out where we were going to be able to borrow the monies from.
In steps the New Testament Challenge. Our church has been reading through the New Testament over the last 2 months. So incredibly amazing that at each turn, when I was ready to give up hope and faith in this happening, God stepped in and pulled out a scripture, reducing me to tears on more days than I can remember.
On this particular day, feeling so low and forgetting to look up!! I was listening to my CD version in the car as I was traveling. There, as if God Himself was talking to me, the scripture was from Hebrews 10:35...
I remember stopping the CD several times so I could listen to it again. It reminded me that God is in control in all situations. His gentle, yet firm reminders several times when we started this process about Him providing and us not worrying about it. Who was I to question His working in this? Yet even so, it is difficult to not second guess everything and I continually remind myself not to worry or fret. Just lean on Him.
Amen and amen!! Can't wait to give an update on how everything is going!
Late July we turned in an application for an amazing fund raiser called Both Hands. This is a participant sponsored charity fundraiser. But instead of doing a one day event that is then complete and everyone moves on, like a golf tournament or a 5K, a widow is chosen and her house is renovated. The sponsorship dollars, through Lifesong for Orphans, bring home the orphan. What an amazing idea!!
We found out mid to late September that we were accepted to do this fund raiser, and found our widow in the early weeks of October. Knowing that there were so many people out there that would benefit from a project like this, we prayed and prayed and gladly decided that we would allow a new friend that we'd just met to chose the widow for us.
Rod works at Bethel Mission in the Putnam area of Zanesville. It's his heart's mission and dream to see teams of Christians coming together to be the hands and feet of God in a practical way, helping others both physically (fixing up homes) and spiritually (realizing that God truly does care for them and Christians do exist that are trying to model what Christ showed us).
So, we assembled our team quickly, determining that we needed to have our work project on the 19th of November. Enough time to get our t's crossed and i's dotted and not too late to be in bad weather or into the holidays.
I have to say, the hardest part of this project is very easily the first hand part- The second hand, the hand for the widow? no problem!! We are wired to give. The first hand, though, is an entirely different story. It is such a wonderful cause and is drawing together a very large group of people making them aware of adoption in a new way, allowing them to participate in helping a widow and allowing us to bring home our child through God's provision. So, any of you reading this that got a letter.... we finally determined that whomever we wanted to send out "Gotcha Day" pictures to was going to find out about our incredible journey to bring home our child as well:) For those of you who didn't get a letter- please send us your address- we likely just don't have it:)
Our project is just a little over a week away. It has been amazing to us to see how this is all coming together. There were a few days when we didn't think it would happen. We had a few very close to us that were incredulous we would ask others for money. It so mirrored my prideful stance that says I can do it all by myself that I found my enthusiasm flag and my smile turn upside down as I questioned my own motives. I got so down that I was ready to chuck the whole project for the orphan part, finish the widow project and try to figure out where we were going to be able to borrow the monies from.
In steps the New Testament Challenge. Our church has been reading through the New Testament over the last 2 months. So incredibly amazing that at each turn, when I was ready to give up hope and faith in this happening, God stepped in and pulled out a scripture, reducing me to tears on more days than I can remember.
On this particular day, feeling so low and forgetting to look up!! I was listening to my CD version in the car as I was traveling. There, as if God Himself was talking to me, the scripture was from Hebrews 10:35...
So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God's will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.
I remember stopping the CD several times so I could listen to it again. It reminded me that God is in control in all situations. His gentle, yet firm reminders several times when we started this process about Him providing and us not worrying about it. Who was I to question His working in this? Yet even so, it is difficult to not second guess everything and I continually remind myself not to worry or fret. Just lean on Him.
Amen and amen!! Can't wait to give an update on how everything is going!
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